SCARS & PETALS

One afternoon during the break at Minazuru Academy, the school hall buzzed with excitement over the upcoming science fair, themed 'Poppy: Nature's Innovation.' But Tsukiko, sitting under a cherry blossom tree with a book in her lap, remained distant, more focused on her quiet life than the fleeting dramas around her.

But that morning, her peaceful world was interrupted. 

"Tsukiko, you have to help us!" Ayumi, a third-year student same as Tsukiko with wide, desperate eyes, rushed toward her. Behind her trailed a group of students, all looking equally frantic. 

Tsukiko raised an eyebrow, marking her page before closing her book. "Help with what?" 

"It's the debate competition," Ayumi said, catching her breath. "Our team's leader quit, and now we don't have anyone to represent us. The competition is in one month, and if we don't win, the school might lose its chance to compete at the national level!" 

Tsukiko exhaled a slow sigh, tapping the closed book against her palm. "And why, exactly, do you think I'm the right person for this?"

"You're the smartest in school!" Ayumi pleaded. "We need your calm under pressure."

Tsukiko sighed, her gaze drifting to the group of hopeful faces. She had no interest in competitions or recognition, but she couldn't ignore the genuine plea in their eyes. 

With a calm but decisive tone, she finally said, "Alright, I'll do it. But only if everyone's willing to put in the effort. I won't carry this alone."

The students erupted into cheers, and Ayumi grabbed Tsukiko's arm. "Thank you, Tsukiko! You're a lifesaver!" 

That evening, Tsukiko gathered the team in the library. 

Tsukiko surveyed the materials scattered across the table, diagrams of poppies, data sheets about their medicinal uses, a rough outline of a presentation that lacked direction. It was a mess. But Tsukiko wasn't overwhelmed by it; she saw possibilities. 

"I can fix this," Tsukiko thought.

She spent hours going over their arguments, teaching them how to anticipate counterpoints, and refining their delivery. Her natural ability to lead shone through as she encouraged even the shyest members to speak up, offering constructive feedback without ever sounding condescending. 

Meanwhile, across town, Kai returned to the flower shop.

But when he entered, the shop was quieter than usual. The usual hum of activity was absent, and Tsukiko was nowhere to be found. Instead, Mrs. Kaname greeted him with a warm smile.

"Hi... uh, where's the woman who usually works here?" Kai asked, his usual confident tone slipping into something softer, tinged with disappointment.

"Oh, Tsukiko? She's not here today," Mrs. Kaname replied, her hands deftly wrapping a bouquet of roses for him. "She had to stay back at school. Something about an assignment she's working on."

"School?" Kai repeated, blinking in confusion.

Kai had always assumed Tsukiko was older. Something about the way she carried herself, calm, composed, made her seem far more mature. Her poise and natural grace made him think she was in her twenties, maybe even out of college. But when the shop owner spoke again, his assumptions shattered.

"She's your age, you know," Mrs. Kaname added with a chuckle. "Just a high school student, like you."

Kai nearly dropped the bouquet. "Wait, really?"

"Yup," Mrs. Kaname confirmed, her smile widening. "She's one smart girl. Always studying, always working."

Kai's mind reeled. Tsukiko, the girl he thought was far ahead in life, was actually just like him navigating high school, juggling a part-time job, and still somehow maintaining that air of sophistication. 

He had imagined her as someone leagues beyond his world, someone unattainable. Yet, here she was, walking the same path he was.

The revelation caught him off guard, but it only deepened his admiration for her. Her maturity, which had once seemed distant, now felt even more impressive. 

And now, knowing they were the same age, Kai couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of connection, like they shared more than just their casual encounters at the flower shop. 

Maybe, just maybe, he could understand her a little better now.

It was a little ridiculous, Kai knew. He didn't need more flowers, but he had this feeling, this strange urge to see her again. 

The next day, Kai returned to the flower shop, his steps hesitant but driven by the thought of seeing her again.

"Welcome…"Tsukiko greeted,

"Oh, it's you," she raised an eyebrow as she spotted him entering. She stood behind the counter, carefully arranging a fresh batch of flowers. Kai couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

"Yeah, uh, I was thinking... maybe some more flowers," Kai said, striving for a casual tone even as his heart pounded in his chest.

Tsukiko gave him a brief, questioning look. "Sure. What kind of flowers?"

"Hmm... actually, what would you recommend?" he asked, scratching the back of his neck, trying to draw out the conversation.

Tsukiko didn't pry into the purpose of his request. Instead, she glanced at the flowers around her. "If you're looking for something elegant, I'd suggest orchids. They're rare and beautiful."

Kai's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Like you?"

Tsukiko cringed at his pick up line. She hadn't expected that. 

"Uh..." Before she could formulate a response, Kai spoke again, this time blurting out the truth. "Actually, I just wanted to see you again. I'm… interested in you."

Her expression remained neutral, though her eyes betrayed a hint of something. 

Was it amusement? 

Was it annoyance? 

She wasn't sure herself. Instead of addressing his bold confession, she offered him a polite, almost detached smile and returned to arranging the flowers.

Kai lingered, unsure how to bridge the growing silence. His usual charm seemed to falter under Tsukiko's reserved demeanor. Desperate to keep the moment alive, he tried again. "Can I ask you something?"

Tsukiko glanced up briefly, her tone even. "What is it?"

"What's your name?"  Kai asked, even though he already knew it. 

Tsukiko didn't seem interested in prolonging the interaction. "Ah, it's Tsukiko." she answered simply, her voice distant.

Her short, detached response was all the confirmation Kai needed. 

She wasn't interested. 

He could see it in the way she held herself, the way she didn't engage. Any hope he might have had fizzled.

Realizing there was nothing more to say, he nodded awkwardly. "I'm Kai... by the way...Thank you for the flower. Tsukiko." he said before turning and leaving the shop, feeling foolish for even trying.

As he stepped out into the cool air, Kai couldn't help but glance back once more at the shop, but Tsukiko was already lost in her world of flowers, her mind and heart far away from him.

Despite the chilly reception, Kai refused to give up and continued returning to the flower shop.

No matter how hard Kai tried, Tsukiko consistently turned down his advances. She couldn't afford any distractions, especially with so much at stake for her future. But Kai was persistent.